Parents,  I’m not sure if the message was understood by everyone. We will have spring pictures taken on Monday.  You did not need to sign up for these.  You may order after the pictures are viewed.  I have information in the classroom for you to read.  Thanks.

Good morning, we finished the tote bag for Mrs. Ruddy this morning.  The children took turns stamping their hand print on the canvass bag.  We will now begin to collect items to fill the bag for Mrs. Ruddy and the baby.  Some suggestions have been diapers, wipes, more diapers, small baby toy items, more diapers, baby powder, more diapers…. got the picture?  If you would like to be a part of this wonderful activity , feel free to send in your contributions to the bag any time.  Mrs. Ruddy will return with the baby for a visit before the end of school and we will give her the bag at that time.

Today the children moved in groups between four activities.  These activities included; a floor puzzle, making a puppet, matching upper and lower case letters, and working on a page for their dino books.  They did a marvelous job of circulating among these activities and being accountable for doing each one.  Good for them!

For snack the children enjoyed  dinosaur fruit snacks.  They had to work for their snack today.  After we opened the snack packs, each child had to count how many dinosaurs they had and then sort them into the different colors.  Then we worked on a very simple ‘graphing’ activity involving the colors.  The most popular colors were red and yellow followed by orange, purple, and finally black.  THEN WE ATE!

The children are enjoying the dinosaur unit and the varity of activities that are provided for them .  This morning at circle time the children took turns listening to descriptions of the different dinosaurs and had to select a card that best fit the description  – VERY CHALLENGING.

Enjoy the evening with your family.

We said our temporary ‘good byes’ to Mrs. Ruddy this morning.  She will return for a visit when she is able. The children may continue to draw pictures for her and we will put them together as a booklet for her when she returns with the baby.

This morning the children were excited to see the changes in the classroom. They especially enjoyed the explorations with the dinosaur figures. They put together a paper dinosaur as well as working together as a group to make a dinosaur skeleton out of plastic bones.  We will continue to learn about these creatures  for the next few weeks.

Remember conferfence times have been provided.  If you haven’t signed up and would like to do so, please see the sign-up  sheet in the classroom.

Enjoy the evening with your family.

Happy Valentines Day everyone.  We had an awesome day today.  We began today’s  fun with some large muscle play/control in the gym.  We had a great time playing with the parachute and inflatable valentines while working on listening skills, coordination and team work.  This excitement was followed with Music.  We returned to our classroom to pass out our valentines among our friends, we decorated cookies, and made a valentine ornament for you.

Next Wednesday will be Mrs.Ruddy’s last day with us in PreK.  Our last day with Mrs. Ruddy has come way to fast and we are not ready to say goodbye to her. However, she  has promised to return for a visit when she is able.  The children are invited to do a special  drawing of Mrs. Ruddy as she helped us in our classroom during these last several months. We will give her these drawings on Wednesday. Next week I will be working with the children as they print their hand prints on a tote bag for her.  We will later fill that bag with baby supplies to be given to her on a return visit.  In the meantime, we have met two new friends that will help in our classroom.  Come in and say ‘Hello’ to Mrs. Franke and Mrs. Schmitz.    These two wonderful ladies will be ‘job sharing’ the position of aid.  We are excited to have them share their time and talents with us for the rest of the school term.

Conferences begin next week, I am looking forward to being able to sit and chat with you about the wonderful growth your child has made this year.  The conference sheets will be posted in the classroom as a reminder of your time.

Remember – no school on Monday

Have a wonderful weekend with your families.

What a busy day!  Today the children had PhyEd with Mr. J.  The children worked on skills of listening, and following directions through use of hula hoops.  Mr. J. had them ‘driving their cars’,  ‘walking the dog’, and a variety of other actions all using the hula hoops in some degree. FUN!

In the classroom the children worked with the letter ‘Nn’, and we made a messy valentine using a coffee filter, washable markers, a spray bottle of water, and a heart shape frame.    We  will finish this project on Monday.  Speaking of Valentines- our little celebration will be on Friday 2/13. It is a simple celebration where the children may bring valentines from home to give to their friends. We will make valentine holders in class for this purpose.  The children do not need to address their cards, but they should sign them.  We will play a few games, share valentines, and have a special treat.

Conference sign-up sheets will be in the classroom throughout next week also.  I’m looking forward to meeting with you to share in the journey of your child.

Enjoy the weekend with your family.

The children had Spanish with Sister this morning.

The children made valentines this morning which I collected and will be sending to the radio station KTIS.  The radio station is collecting children-made valentines to be distributed to children who are hospitalized during this month and unable to attend Valentine parties in their own classes or play groups.  This was a wonderful project which gave our little ones an opportunity to  ‘give back to the commnity’.  In addition to the valentines, we finished the last page ofour  Nursery Rhyme booklet. These will be ready at conference times.

Conference sign up sheets will be in the classroom on Friday and throughout next week. If you would like an opportunity to chat with me regarding the growth of your little one please feel free to sign up.  If the posted hours are not convenient times for you, we can come up with a ‘Plan B’.

Enjoy the evening with your family.

We had a lively time this morning in the PreK class.  The children continued working on Nursery Rhymes, making their book, singing the rhymes, etc. Nursery Rhymes are a great tool for our children in recognizing the flow of the English language as well as rhyming. And we can’t overlook the sheer enjoyment and silliness of these rhymes.  Read a Nursery Rhyme to your little one tonight.

I will have the sign up times for conferences posted in the classroom for the next two weeks.  As always, if the posted times are not working for you, just let me know something can alsways be arranged.

Parents, I know that you are hearing and reading all the ‘buzz’ regarding the “Meet Me In Monte Carlo” night.  It is sure to be a big hit and lots of fun, and we are always in need of ‘more hands’. Please do not hestitate to offer your ‘helping hands’ in making this night one to remember.  Please refer to the Newsletter for more information and contact numbers  for helping.

Enjoy this chilly night with your family.